New Delhi: 5 Indian American members of the United States Congress, on Friday, jointly cautioned the Indian government to set accountability of the individuals responsible for plotting a foiled assassination of Gurpatwant Singh, a Pro-Khalistani extremist who has been declared terrorist by New Delhi.
In their jointly issued statement, the five legislators of the US Congress (Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar)asserted that the diplomatic relations between the two countries could get significantly dented if India does not initiate a full-fledged investigation for holding all the accused, including Indian government officials, responsible for trying to allegedly assassinate Khalistani Sikh extremist Gurpatwant Singh.
However, the legislators also appreciated the Indian government’s decision to form a committee of enquiry to investigate Gurpatwant’s assassination plot. They advised New Delhi to assure Washington DC that something like this (formulation plan to murder American citizens on American soil) will never happen again.
Additionally, the lawmakers also noted that the strong ties between New Delhi and Congress have made a significant improvement in the lives of the citizens of both countries but the same can be adversely affected if things like these (the assassination attempt of Gurpatwant ) are not addressed properly by the Indian Government as ensuring safety and security of their constituents are of utmost priority.
US Federal Prosecutors indictment
For the unversed, the legislators’ statement came shortly after the Federal prosecutor of the United States issued fresh and detailed charges against an Indian nationalist Nikhil Gupta for attempting to hire a triggerman to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
The federal prosecutor’s official indictment mentioned a confidential but identified name of the Indian Government’s official (CC-1) for allegedly recruiting Nikhil Gupta.
An extract from the press release issued by the US representative read, “We appreciate the Administration providing us a classified briefing on the Department of Justice’s indictment of Nikhil Gupta, which alleges that an Indian government official engaged in a murder-for-hire plot of an American citizen.”
Nikhil is now facing US-initiated extradition (deportation) proceedings in the Eastern European country of the Czech Republic for masterminding the assassination conspiracy.
